Sports
NBA playoffs chase: Basketball's most impactful games this week – USA TODAY
Don’t forget the NBA.
With much attention on the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, the NBA regular season is winding down with playoff spots and seeds at stake in the final three weeks.
Twenty-four of 30 NBA teams are in playoff contention, and while some teams are definitely headed for the playoffs, seeds and playoffs spots are undetermined.
In the East, the top three teams (Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia) are separated by 2½ games headed into Monday’s games. Fourth-place Cleveland is 2½ games ahead of New York and one game is between sixth-place Brooklyn and seventh-place Miami.
When it comes to the play-in game scenario in the East, spots 8-12 (Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago, Indiana, Washington) are within three games of each other.
NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET:Updated league standings, odds to make 2023 NBA Finals
SPORTS NEWSLETTER:Sign up to get the latest news and features sent to your inbox
It’s a wild situation in the West, too. First-place Denver has struggled recently but it still has a four-game lead over Sacramento and Memphis, both tied for second place.
Spots 4-12 (Phoenix, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas, Golden State, Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah, New Orleans) are separated by just four games and 6-12 are within two games of each other.
There’s lots of time left to move up and down in the standings.
Let’s take a look at the 15 most important games in the NBA this week:
Minnesota at New York, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
Are the surging Knicks ready to make a playoff run?
Dallas at Memphis, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV
The Mavs can’t wait for injured star Luka Doncic to return to the lineup.
Boston at Sacramento, 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV
The Kings have been the surprise team in the NBA this season.
Golden State at Dallas, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Warriors are in a danger of missing the playoffs after winning the title last season.
Atlanta at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
There are two teams battling for a spot in the play-in games.
Phoenix at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
While both teams can’t afford to lose, the Suns are in better playoff position than the Lakers.
Cleveland at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
The Nets have remained competitive since trading Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
Philadelphia at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV
The Sixers are the second-best team in the league record-wise since Jan. 1.
Phoenix at Sacramento, 10 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
This is a potential playoff matchup.
Brooklyn at Miami, 8 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
One of these teams is likely to secure a playoff spot and one is likely to be in the play-in game scenario.
Milwaukee at Denver, 9 p.m. ET, NBA TV
The Bucks are trying to hold off Philadelphia and Boston for the top seed in the East.
Philadelphia at Phoenix, 10 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
The Suns are awaiting the return of injured star Kevin Durant.
New Orleans at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
The Pelicans, once at the top of the West standings, are on the outside looking in but with a chance to get in.
Washington at Toronto, 6 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass
The Wizards have work to do if they want to get into the postseason.
Minnesota at Golden State, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Both teams need this game.
